Australia Factbook

Australia has a strong religious heritage, but in recent years has become increasingly secular. Society is rapidly moving away from Christianity. Although large numbers of believers remain, their numbers are falling.

Australia is its own continent. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere between the Pacific and Indian oceans. Its land area is just slightly less than that of the United States.

The population of Australia is approximately 20 million. Nearly all of the population lives along the coasts. The interior is mostly grassland and desert and is sparsely populated. Approximately 75% of the Australian people are of English or Irish origin. The country also has significant Asian, Arab, and Aboriginal communities.

Australia enjoys a relatively wealthy economy with a mixture of industry, agriculture, and mining. Australia was granted independence from Great Britain on January 1, 1901. Since then, it has operated as a commonwealth of Great Britain. The Australian people have witnessed little economic or political unrest in their history.

Australia is a secular state with freedom of religion. It has a strong Protestant heritage, and today two thirds still classify themselves as Christian. Unfortunately, Australian society has become increasingly secular over the last 30 to 40 years. The number of evangelicals has steadily fallen over that time and is now near 10% of the population. Overall church attendance is one third what it was in the 1960s. Nearly 30% of the people now classify themselves as non-religious or atheist.

Australia's missionary vision appears to be waning. Although Australian churches have sent relatively large numbers of missionaries into the field, overall giving for missions has fallen over the years leaving many of these laborers under supported.

Pray for works in the Muslim and Chinese communities. Works in the Aboriginal community has born much fruit. Praise the Lord for their openness and pray for continued progress.

Australia's general turning away from anything to do with Christianity appears similar to what is happening in the United States and many other western countries. Australia has many fine churches and hundreds of thousands of believers, but the overall trend is away from God. Pray that God may intervene and show the people the emptiness of a world apart from Him. Pray that revival may sweep this country and fill the churches once again.

Copyright 2006 by Brad Garrison

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